Eric Berry’s interception inspires Chiefs

If there was ever a team interception, the Chiefs turned it in the third quarter of their 23-13 victory Sunday over the Steelers.

Pittsburgh quarterback Landry Jones sent the ball on a slant to Antonio Brown, but Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson got a hand on it disrupting the path. The ball arrived, and safety Ron Parker was there for the tackle. Brown wound up batting the ball in the air and into the arms of a diving Eric Berry.

After a 15-yard return, Berry was tackled in front of the Chiefs’ bench and the celebration was on.

Teammates circled him wanting to congratulate Berry on his first interception of the season, the first since his return from Hodgkin lymphoma.

After the helmet and backslaps, Berry backed away from the pile and offered his own celebratory pantomime. He tossed the football in the air and pretended to pull out a bow and arrow to use the ball as target practice.

“I’ve been planning that one out for a long time,” Berry said. “I’m just glad I could actually use it.”

The Chiefs took full advantage of the turnover, going 53 yards in nine plays to score their first touchdown and open a 16-3 lead.

“You just want to help your team any way you can, and if it’s turnovers — that’s the biggest way we can — so be it,” Berry said.

The Chiefs forced three turnovers Sunday. Johnson contributed a leaping interception late in the second quarter, and Tamba Hali powered through for a strip sack of Jones, who fumbled it away to Jaye Howard. All were big plays.

None felt better than Berry’s.

“For all the things he’s been through, for him to get that interception, everybody was smiling from ear to ear,” Johnson said. “He’s a player who exemplifies courage and discipline, and it showed today. It was a great play.”

As for the play, defensive coordinator Bob Sutton emphasized the possibility of tipped passes this week. The Chiefs could be facing a quarterback making his first start, and that was the case.

“Tips and overthrows, the percentages favor us,” Berry said. “Anytime we have an opportunity to make plays…”

When Berry and the Chiefs made this one, the party was on. Fans at Arrowhead Stadium seemed to understand the significance of not only of the play but also of its author and cheered loudly.

“Give It Away,” by Red Hot Chili Peppers blared over the public-address system.

This story was originally published October 25, 2015 at 7:17 PM with the headline "Eric Berry’s interception inspires Chiefs."